Behind the Scenes at KGFJ, LA's Historic Black Radio Station
Description
Step inside the pulse of LA’s 1980s Black radio revolution!
In this powerful episode of Acting Smarter Now, Lydia Nicole takes you back to the golden era of KGFJ/KUTE102 FM, where voices became legends and young dreamers laid the foundation for today’s entertainment industry. Lydia reunites with her former KGFJ teammates, Denise Smith, Jacqueline Walker, and Andre Allen—sharing behind-the-scenes stories of hustle, history, and heart from their days as the Promotions Director, Receptionist, and Assistant Promotions Director during the station’s heyday.
From hosting icons like Muhammad Ali to nurturing new talent and creating space for Black excellence in media, this conversation is overflowing with wisdom, laughter, and legacy. Discover what it took to thrive inside Inner City Broadcasting Corporation, one of the first Black-owned media powerhouses that changed the game forever. ✨
Whether you’re chasing your acting dreams, building your brand, or love a good story about perseverance and purpose, this episode will leave you inspired to own your greatness and create your own lane in today’s entertainment world. 💪🏾
🔥 Celebrate community. Honor creativity. Amplify determination.
Drop a comment with your favorite old-school radio memory—who were your go-to DJs or stations growing up? Let’s keep the spirit of Black radio alive!
#ActingSmarterNow #CommonSenseMamita #KGFJ #BlackRadio #LosAngeles #CareerEmpowerment #RadioLegends #BehindTheMic #HollywoodStories #ActingCareer
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
01:11 - KGFJ AM 1230 and KUTE 102 FM
02:56 - Hiring Process at KGFJ
10:27 - Denise Smith - Promotions Director Insights
11:27 - Working Experience at KGFJ
19:59 - Remote Broadcast Experiences
22:54 - Challenges for Young Black Women in Radio
29:55 - Working for a Black-Owned Company
31:39 - Jacqueline’s Career Transition to Radio
36:04 - Importance of Diversity in Media
39:58 - Community Involvement in Broadcasting
43:48 - Being Selective in Career Choices
46:23 - AI's Impact on Job Creation
52:55 - Hal Jackson's Legacy
55:50 - Behind the Scenes at a Radio Station
01:01:40 - Carol Carper's Contributions
01:06:42 - Denise Smith's Role at KGFJ
01:10:10 - Denise Smith's Motivation
01:11:13 - Lessons from Denise Smith
01:11:51 - Lydia's Takeaways from Denise
01:14:20 - Jacqueline’s Learning Experience with Denise
01:19:39 - Final Thoughts on the Industry
01:25:50 - Outro
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